Elastic band apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an elastic band apparatus for assisting a human user in properly aligning body members during exercise, supporting a head of a user when lying down during exercise, and angling at least one elastic band at a predetermined angle. In order to do so, an elastic band apparatus is provided having a platform, at least two handles extending outward from the front surface of the platform and at least one slot arranged through the platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 62/842,735 entitled “ELASTIC BAND APPARATUS” filed May 3, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an elastic band apparatus for assisting in stretching and improving biometrics of a human body.

2. Description of Related Art

Traditionally, elastic bands have been commonly used for stretching, muscle rehabilitation, resistance training and much more. Elastic bands commonly available for commercial purpose either comprise a strand of elastic material or an elastic loop. In operation, a user holds, traps or wraps a portion of the strand or a portion of the elastic loop to a human body member or a fixed object. Problems arise when arranging the elastic bands to be stretched between one human body member to another human body member. The user can commonly over-stretch or cause harm to the human body by not realizing which end of the elastic band is over-powering the opposite end. Secondly, fixed objects are not always available for human users to affix the elastic bands to. Attaching resistance bands to fixed objects can also be very dangerous. The fixed object can break loose and sling into the user if the fixed object is not properly anchored.

Additionally, many exercises and stretches involving elastic bands require the user to lie down. Lying down can commonly encompass various body positions such as downward-facing, upward-facing, or lying on one's side. When the user is required to lie down, commonly their head is left unsupported. An unsupported head of the user can directly lead to structural neck injury or neck muscle fatigue during stretching.

Depending upon how the elastic band is affixed to an object, unequal tension in the elastic band can be felt by the user. This unequal tension is commonly driven by an angle a user pulls the elastic band, if the elastic band is free to move and how the elastic band is held by the user. A solution is needed for assisting in proper elastic band exercises, portable affixation of at least one elastic band and a way to support the human head when the user is required to lie down during stretching.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to an elastic band apparatus that solves the problems presented above by providing an apparatus for assisting a human user in properly aligning body members during stretching, supporting a head of a user when lying down during stretching, and correctly aligning at least one elastic band at a predetermined angle.

Another object of the present invention is to angle a platform of the elastic band apparatus at an angle relative to a resting surface. For example, a calf muscle of the user may be optimally aligned during stretching as a result of positioning the platform at a predetermined angle. The act of arranging the platform at an angle also creates a space wherein at least one elastic band may bow into a head support opening for elevating a human head above the resting surface.

The elastic band apparatus is also configured to arrange the wrist of the user in an optimal orientation during use of at least one elastic band by the user.

Another object of the present invention, in some embodiments, is to provide at least one protrusion extending away from a rear surface of the platform. At least one protrusion allowing for at least one elastic band to be laced through or wrapped around the platform during operation without being trapped between the platform and the resting surface. In turn, in some embodiments, the present invention uses the human body as an anchor or a weight.

In order to do so, an elastic band apparatus is provided having a platform, at least two handles extending outward from the front surface of the platform and at least one slot arranged through the platform. At least one elastic band is arranged within the at least one slot for use during exercise. In some embodiments, a head support opening is arranged through the platform, wherein a human head rests upon at least one elastic band within the head support opening. In some embodiments, at least two protrusions are incorporated into the design of the elastic band apparatus extending outward from the rear surface of the platform. At least two protrusions being designed to allow for free movement and alignment of at least one elastic band between the platform and the resting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

The novel features of the disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the disclosure are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary perspective view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary front view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary rear view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 5A shows an exemplary right view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 5B shows an exemplary left view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary top view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary bottom view of one embodiment of the elastic band apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be employed in practicing the disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, an elastic band apparatus 100 is shown having a platform 103. At least one slot is shown arranged through the platform allow to the alignment, insertion or lacing of at least one elastic band (not shown). In some embodiments, at least one slot further comprising a first pair of slots 110, a second pair of slots 125 and a handle slot 130. In some embodiments, at least one slot is arranged parallel to the right side or left side of the platform. In other embodiments, at least one slot is arranged at an angle relative to the right or left side of the platform. In some embodiments, at least one slot is arranged to be enclosed within the platform. In other embodiments, at least one slot is configured to extend inward from a side of the platform. A head support opening 105 is arranged through the platform between the left side and the right side proximate to the top end. A human head is designed to rest on the at least one elastic band within the head support opening when at least one elastic band is adjoined to the first pair of slots. In some embodiments, the platform has no head support opening. The slots of the elastic band apparatus may be configured to arrange the wrist of the user in an optimal orientation during use of at least one elastic band. At least one elastic band may be chosen from at least one member of an elastic member set, by way of non-limiting example, consisting of: a elastic strand, an elastic band, a elastic rope or any other elastic material known to one skilled in the art.

Next, at least two handles extend outward from the front surface of the platform at a predetermined angle. In some embodiments, at least two handles further comprise a left handle 115 and a right handle 120. In some embodiments, at least one handle further comprises at least one handle opening. In some embodiments having the left handle and the right handle, a left handle opening 135 is arranged through the left handle and a right handle opening 136 is arranged through the right handle. In exemplary use, the user may grasp at least one handle with a human hand to isolate a specific muscle group, hold on to the platform when lying down or to position a user's body in a semi-rigid position to minimize a body movement during exercise. In exemplary use, a user may insert at least one elastic band through the left handle opening or the right handle opening. The predetermined angle, in some embodiments, may be configured to isolate a specific muscle of the human body. The predetermined angle may be customizable or adjustable in some embodiments to match the needs of a user. An elastic band arranged across the first pair of slots spanning the head support opening provides support for the human head, but also helps prevent the user from pulling on the head and the neck of the user.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6 & 7, in some embodiments, the user may configure the elastic band apparatus to have the rear surface oriented towards a resting surface (not shown). The user may also configure the elastic band apparatus to have the front surface face the resting surface. By way of non-limiting example, the resting surface may comprise a floor, a ceiling, an angled surface or a vertical surface. In an exemplary embodiment, wherein the rear surface is oriented to face the resting surface, the elastic band apparatus may further comprise, at least two protrusions 140 extending outward from the rear surface of the platform. At least two protrusions act to raise the platform above the resting surface and allow for at least one elastic band to be moved below the platform. In some embodiments, at least two protrusions divide the platform into a top platform section 101 proximate to the top end of the platform and a bottom end section 102 proximate to the bottom end of the platform. The top platform section and the bottom platform section are both arranged to have an elastic band span within the top platform section from the left side to the right side of the platform.

In some embodiments, the elastic band apparatus may be used in combination with a specific practice such as a yoga practice, an exercise, calisthenics or any other exercise known to stretch a member of the human body. In some embodiments, a secondary elastic band is rolled and arranged on the rear surface of the platform between the at least two protrusions. Next, at least one elastic band is stretched around the platform to hold the secondary band against the rear surface of the platform. In other exemplary configurations, the elastic band apparatus may comprise a plurality of the secondary elastic band.

In some embodiments, the elastic band apparatus is made of at least one material of a material set consisting of: a ceramic material, a metal material, a wood material, a plastic material, a fiber glass material, a carbon fiber material, an acrylic material, a composite material, a thermoset plastic, a thermoplastic, a glass material, and a nylon material. Exemplary materials of the elastic band apparatus material set include, by way of non-limiting example, the following materials: a High-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a Polypropylene (PP), a rubber material, a Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, a urethane material, a polyurethane material and any other material known to one skilled in the art.

As used in this application, the term “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.

As used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents, patent application publications, and non-patent literature documents or other source material, are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in the present application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Any reference to “or” herein is intended to encompass “and/or” unless otherwise stated.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to an amount that is near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or 10%, including increments therein.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specified function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. In particular, any use of “step of” in the claims is not intended to invoke the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An elastic band apparatus, for use with at least one elastic band, the elastic band apparatus comprising: a platform having a top end, a bottom end, a left side, a right side, a front surface and a rear surface; at least two handles extending outward from the front surface of the platform at a predetermined angle; and at least one slot arranged through the platform, wherein the at least one elastic band is arranged within the at least one slot.
 2. The elastic band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic band apparatus further comprises: a head support opening arranged through the platform between the left side and the right side proximate the top end; wherein a human head rests on the at least one elastic band within the head support opening.
 3. The elastic band apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elastic band apparatus further comprises: at least two protrusions extending outward from the rear surface of the platform, wherein the at least two protrusions raise the platform above a resting surface and allow for the at least one elastic band to be moved below the platform.
 4. The elastic band apparatus claim 1, wherein at least one platform further comprises an external texture.
 5. The elastic band apparatus of claim 4, wherein the external texture further comprises at least one member of a texture set consisting of: indentations, extrusions, knurling, a rough surface, and bumps.
 6. The elastic band apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one member of an identification set consisting of: an alphanumeric identification, a human user's name, a symbolic shape, a company brand, a numeric identification number, a QR code, a barcode, and an RFID tag. 